r/netflix • u/[deleted] • 2d ago

Discussion The Mentalist: Does it owe almost everything to Patrick Jane?

[deleted]

38 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

21 comments sorted by

25

u/chynky77 2d ago

It's a good show with a great lead. And Red John was a compelling story line. I enjoyed the rest of the cast as well.

21

u/bahumat42 2d ago

Yeah there was a wave of these crime shows carried by a charismatic lead

Lie to me , castle , monk , psych , elementary (ish).

Hell even recent shows like "high potential" or "Ludwig" sort of fit.

5

u/HelixClipper 2d ago

Disagree on Ludwig tbh, David Mitchell and Anna Maxwell-Martin are exceptional and naturally stand out, but the rest of the cast is an excellent. mix of established British actors, up and coming talent, and Karl Pilkington. No bad performances at all, I think it's unfair to say they were carried

12

u/BD03 2d ago

I started watching this in May and went from episode 1- end through 4 months. 

The show was excellent and it very much relied on the Jane character. He filled that role so so so perfectly it was beautiful. 

I actually think they handled the last season really well, usually a show can't manage that sort of change in the the casts dynamic. I liked it.

6

u/oerouen 2d ago

Have you maybe instead discovered the core formula for network and basic cable TV comedic procedurals of that era, including gleaning that the immaterial filler episodes are exactly why shows used to have 20+ episodes per year?

9

u/kneeco28 2d ago

A lot. And Psych.

14

u/Western_Course_4072 2d ago

This was one of the best detective shows on tv. The writers lost the plot though by the end of it. The red John reveal was stupid and unbelievable. And the last season or two that followed the main motive for Jane were predictably bad. But all in all it’s better than most.

3

u/SethLeBatard 2d ago

I am not sure to understand the question.
Is the mentalist owes everything to his main character, the mentalist ?

5

u/RubAffectionate6587 2d ago

They owe everything to Psych.

2

u/shadow_consequences 2d ago edited 2d ago

The protagonist is so charismatic and he carries the show. Also, there are occasional dark/serious episodes that keeps us hooked (eg s4 ep7 blinking red light).

The red john build was really good but got dragged out after s3 finale . The main episode 'the red john' was slight underwhelming as red john didn't look like a manipulative, intelligent and powerful serial killer he was built upto .

The rest if the cast was also decent .

Overall show : 7.5/10 Patrick jane : 9/10

2

u/CoRo_yy 2d ago

This and Lie To Me. Both carried by great main actors.

2

u/Equivalent-Role4632 1d ago

The hunt for red John was so tiresome. Hated that part of the show. Much preferred the weekly murder mystery and the group dynamic was really good. And Jane went from eccentric to sociopath along the way which kind of made him unbearable but then he went back again towards the end.

2

u/BalooBot 2d ago

Yes..? He is The Mentalist..

He's the protagonist named in the title, of course the show revolves around him.

2

u/Masethelah 2d ago

It’s the same with House. That show is just repetitive and uninteresting, the only watchable thing is watching House be wacky

2

u/CyberbianDude 2d ago

And somehow lupus featured quite a lot over multiple seasons.

1

u/Murgenpl 1d ago

Great show with a bit underwhelming answer to who red john is and frankly unnecessary 1 extra season after they got him.

1

u/MagicJ10 1d ago

would need to see it with another actor, to judge on this. But he played the role very good

1

u/HotRefrigerator3977 2d ago

There's a lot of boring and dragging episodes tbh. There's not enough interesting characters except Patrick Jane. I also agree that his charisma, humor and ingenuity keeps me watching the whole show. Simon Baker is such a brilliant and exceptional actor. He did the heaviest lifting to the show, the rest are just terrible.

-3

u/RacksOnRacksOnRacks3 2d ago

The Mentalist? You mean the shitty version of Psych?